How to hire a hazard mitigation officer

How to hire a hazard mitigation officer, step by step

Here's a step-by-step hazard mitigation officer hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write a hazard mitigation officer job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new hazard mitigation officer
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

Post a hazard mitigation officer job for free, promote it for a fee

Post free

1. Identify your hiring needs

   Before you start hiring a hazard mitigation officer, identify what type of worker you actually need. Certain positions might call for a full-time employee, while others can be done by a part-time worker or contractor.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   You should also consider the ideal background you'd like them a hazard mitigation officer to have before you start to hire. For example, what industry or field would you like them to have experience in, what level of seniority or education does the job require, and how much it'll cost to hire a hazard mitigation officer that fits the bill.

   This list presents hazard mitigation officer salaries for various positions.

   Type of Hazard Mitigation Officer	Description	Hourly rate
   Hazard Mitigation Officer	Emergency management directors prepare plans and procedures for responding to natural disasters or other emergencies. They also help lead the response during and after emergencies, often in coordination with public safety officials, elected officials, nonprofit organizations, and government agencies.	$21-59
   Emergency Planner	As an emergency planner, it is their responsibility to assess risks, write and implement safety development plans and reports, organize safety exercises, and train people for emergency response operations in case of a crisis, natural calamities, and accidents may arise. By anticipating these unfortunate events, they could help avoid or lessen the damage that may cost the company's fortune... Show more	$15-52
   Emergency Management Director	An emergency management director must maintain liaisons, prepare plans and procedures in responding to natural disasters and calamities or any emergencies. They organize training for volunteers, staff, and responders to emergency response operations... Show more	$34-172

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Foreclosure
   • Emergency Operations
   • Loan Modifications
   • Technical Assistance
   • Hazardous Materials
   • Mortgage Loans
   • Disaster Response
   • Federal Regulations
   • Assistance Program
   • DOT
   • FHA

   Responsibilities:

   • Manage portfolio of GSE assets that are actively pursuing liquidation or retention options to cure default.
   • Help prepare grant application to FEMA.
   • Respond to communities with approve FEMA funding streams relate to ongoing emergency management projects.
   • Represent company in arbitration settlement negotiations that result in an agreement to obtain governmental approval for the sale of the business.
   • Attend all legal arbitrations and mediations.
   • Represent company in arbitration settlement negotiations that result in an agreement to obtain governmental approval for the sale of the business.

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your hazard mitigation officer job description is one of the best ways to attract top talent. A hazard mitigation officer can vary based on:

   • Location. For example, hazard mitigation officers' average salary in nebraska is 39% less than in new jersey.
   • Seniority. Entry-level hazard mitigation officers 63% less than senior-level hazard mitigation officers.
   • Certifications. A hazard mitigation officer with certifications usually earns a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for an established firm or a new start-up company can make a big difference in a hazard mitigation officer's salary.

   Average hazard mitigation officer salary

   $75,445yearly

   $36.27 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level hazard mitigation officer salary

   $45,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 17, 2025

4. Writing a hazard mitigation officer job description

   A hazard mitigation officer job description should include a summary of the role, required skills, and a list of responsibilities. It's also good to include a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager. To help get you started, here's an example of a hazard mitigation officer job description:

   Hazard mitigation officer job description example

   We are currently seeking **ISA Certified Arborists** to support Southern California Edison's (SCE) Hazard Tree Mitigation Program. ECI will help support SCE's program by inspecting overhead power lines located in High Fire Threat Districts. The majority of this work occurs outside of the urban environment and in the forests of Southern California. We are looking for experienced, energetic professionals who wish to join our growing team and grow their career in the utility vegetation management industry. This is a full-time opportunity to work outside and explore rural Southern California with opportunities for advancement.
   
   Some of the most important characteristics of **ECI** **ISA Certified** **Arborist** is that you are open-minded and able to engage in safe, constructive interactions with the public. You are accountable for advancing a culture of safety and excellence while providing quality and value to our customers and clients.
   **WHAT WE OFFER:**
   
   + Industry competitive pay.
   
   + Company vehicle with fuel card to take to and from home & work.
   
   + Medical/Health/Dental/Vision/AFLAC/Vacation Accrual/Paid Holidays/EAP eligibility on day one of employment (Full-Time Employees).
   
   + 401K, life insurance, long-term disability eligibility first of the month after 3 months of service.
   
   + Sick Time eligibility on day 90 of employment.
   
   + Weekly pay checks and direct deposit.
   
   + Participation in Employee Referral Program (must meet eligibility requirements).
   
   + Boot and clothing program (company funded).
   
   + Ongoing training and assistance with obtaining industry certifications.
   
   **WHAT YOU WILL DO:**
   
   + Assess utility facilities for vegetation compliance.
   
   + Notify property owners of line clearance work to be performed.
   
   + Obtain necessary permits from public agencies.
   
   + Promote and maintain good public relations.
   
   + Perform Level 1 and 2 tree risk assessment inspections.
   
   + Document and record information with mobile device.
   
   + Operate with the highest level of personal and public safety.
   
   **WHAT YOU MUST HAVE:**
   
   + Must currently hold an ISA Arborist Certification.
   
   + Must have solid tree identification skills and the ability to read maps.
   
   + Must have exceptional written and verbal communication skills, strong problem-solving abilities, the ability to multi-task and an attention to detail.
   
   + Must be able to work alone, outdoors in various weather conditions and terrain.
   
   + Must have basic computer skills.
   
   **WHAT WOULD BE AMAZING TO HAVE:**
   
   + Bachelor's or Associates degree in Forestry, Environmental Science or related field preferred.
   
   + One (1) year of utility vegetation management related experience preferred.
   
   + Inventory or surveying experience a plus.
   
   + Bi-lingual speaking (English and Spanish) is a plus.
   
   **A DAY IN THE LIFE OF AN ECI FORESTER:**
   
   **Working Environment**
   
   Work alone in an outdoor field environment; vehicle and foot patrol of utility power lines; remote locations as well as urban, city environment; physical demands and travel from site to site, including walking/hiking on various surfaces including flat, dry, wet, slippery, uneven, rough, steep terrain, hills, and slopes; exposure to noise, dust, grease, and all types of weather and temperature conditions; exposure to hazardous traffic conditions. Reasonable accommodations, if available, may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions.
   
   **Physical**
   
   The team member must have sufficient physical ability and mobility to work in a field environment; to walk up to 10 miles per day, stand, sit, and operate a motor vehicle for prolonged periods of time; to frequently stoop, bend, kneel, crouch, run, crawl, climb, reach, twist, grasp and make repetitive hand, arm and shoulder movement in the performance of daily duties (e.g., forcefully beat down brush); carry, push and/or pull light to heavy amounts of weight, frequently lift up to 10 lbs. and occasionally lift up to 60 lbs. (sandbags); to operate assigned equipment and vehicles; ability to verbally communicate to exchange information with public; ability to see and hear in normal range with or without correction; operate assigned field equipment, including handheld computer, range finder, fyrake, water backpack, shovel, and traffic cone.
   
   **Company Overview**
   
   Environmental Consultants (ECI) is a leading provider of vegetation and asset management consulting services to the utility industry. Successful professionals at ECI have come from a variety of backgrounds, including: forestry, arboriculture, natural resource management, biology, landscape maintenance, horticulture, nursery management, environmental sciences, geology, agriculture, parks & recreation management, urban forestry, geography, and more. For more information visit our website www.eci-consulting.com
   
   **Applicants must pass a pre-employment drug test and a criminal background check.**
   
   **All candidates must possess a valid driver's license and have a good driving record.**
   
   **ECI is an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer. EOE/AA: Minority/Female/ Vets/ Disabled.**
   
   IND123

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   To find hazard mitigation officers for your business, try out a few different recruiting strategies:

   • Consider internal talent. One of the most important talent pools for any company is its current employees.
   • Ask for referrals. Reach out to friends, family members, and your current work to ask if they know any hazard mitigation officers they would recommend.
   • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit entry-level hazard mitigation officers with the right educational background.
   • Social media platforms. LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter have more than 3.5 billion users, and they're a great place for company branding and reaching potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your hazard mitigation officer job on Zippia to find and recruit hazard mitigation officer candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   Your first interview with hazard mitigation officer candidates should focus on their interest in the role and background experience. As the hiring process goes on, you can learn more about how they'd fit into the company culture in later rounds of interviews.

   Remember to include a few questions that allow candidates to expand on their strengths in their own words. Asking about their unique skills might reveal things you'd miss otherwise. At this point, good candidates can move on to the technical interview.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new hazard mitigation officer

   Once you have selected a candidate for the hazard mitigation officer position, it is time to create an offer letter. In addition to salary, the offer letter should include details about benefits and perks that are available to the employee. Ensuring your offer is competitive is vital, as qualified candidates may be considering other job opportunities. The candidate may wish to negotiate the terms of the offer, and it is important to be open to discussion and reach a mutually beneficial agreement. After the offer has been accepted, it is a good idea to formalize the agreement with a contract.

   You should also follow up with applicants who don't get the job with an email letting them know that you've filled the position.

   Once that's done, you can draft an onboarding schedule for the new hazard mitigation officer. Human Resources should complete Employee Action Forms and ensure that onboarding paperwork is completed, including I-9s, benefits enrollment, federal and state tax forms, etc. They should also ensure that new employee files are created for internal recordkeeping.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

   Sign up to download full list

   Sign up

How much does it cost to hire a hazard mitigation officer?